Flax-puller



FLAX FULLER.

Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

NQ.-566,4o3.

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(No Model.) A 4 sheets-sheen 2. A. C. LAMAR.

FLAX FULLER. No. 666,403. Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

@No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 3` A. C; LAMAR.

FLAX PULLER.

No. 566,403. Patented Aug.`25, 1896..

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A.; 6. LAMAR.- .FLAX PULLER.

N6. 666,466.. Y Patented Aug. 25, 1696.

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ALFREDE c. LAMAR, oF sr. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

FLAx-PULLER.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,403, dated August 25, 1896.

Application filed November 19, 1894. Serial No. 529,232. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFREDE C. LAMAR, of St. Paul, in the county ofRamsey and State of Minnesota, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Flax-Fullers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flax-pullers; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter shown and described, and specifically pointed out in claims.

Figure 1 is a plan View of the machine with the upper part of the frame removed, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation from the drive side. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan View of the carneplate and one of the sets of gripping and pulling devices, illustrating the construction more fully. Fig. -t is an enlarged detail of the trip-cam by which the gripping-jaws are protruded. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of one of the sliding frames of the gripping-jaw mechanism. Fig. 6 is a detached plan view, and Fig. 7 is a detached side view, of the tripping-lever of the grippingjaws. Fig. 8 is a detached side view of the spring-bolt of the gripping-jaw mechanism. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail of the gathering mechanism.

A' is the base -frame, and A2 the upper frame, supporting an upright central shaft B' between them, the two parts of the frame formed and connected in any suitable manner to withstand the severe strains to which' they will be subjected. Upon one side the frame A' is supported by the main drivingwheel D', the axle D2 of the latter provided with a pinion D3, loose upon the axle and engaging with a segmental rack D4, fast on the frame A', as shown in Fig. 2, the revolution of the pinion serving to elevate and depress the frame A', as hereinafter explained.

E` is a horizontal shaft journaled upon the frame A' and havin ga chain-sheave E2, adapt ed to be driven by a chain E3 from a chainsheave E4 on the axle D2 of the wheel D', the revolution of the wheel D' thus imparting motion to the shaft E' in the usual manner of harvesting-machines. The shaft E' thus becomes the center upon which the frame A' A2 moves when elevated and depressed by the gearing D2 D4. Upon the inner end of the the requisite rotary motion is imparted to thel shaft B' and its attachments. A clutch E10 is connected into the shaft E' between the chain-sheave E2 and gears E5 EG and adapted to be actuated by a lever E", convenient to the hand of the operator, whereby the mechanism may be thrown in and out of gear when moving from place to place or for any other purpose.

F' F2 are two caster-wheels, one at the front and one at the rear of the machine, about in line with the side of the frame A A2 opposite to the wheel D' the supporting swivel or caster frames F5 F4 each having an upright shaft or stud F5 F6 passing through bearings F7 F8 onl the ends of the extended sec-` tions A2 A4 of the upper frame A2, as shown, the studs F5 F6 being loose in the bearings and free to be moved vertically and revolve in the bearings. The bearings FTF8 are formed with jaws a' a2 and support arms F9 F10 between the two parts of the jaws, the arms being slidable upon the studs'F5 F6, but prevented from turning thereon by feather-keys iittin g into vertical grooves a2 a4 in the studs.

G' is the tongue-socket, fast to the front of the frame in which the tongue G2 is secured. A vertical post or standard G5 rises from the socket G and is provided on its ,upper end with two arms G4 G5, the arm G4 being connected by rod G6 to the arm F9, and the arm G5 being connected by rod G7 to the arm F10, as shown. By this arrangement when the tongue is cramped to one side the arms G4 G5 move with it, and by being connected by the arms F9 Fothe caster-wheels are turned to correspond, so that the machine will ICO b11 on the frame A, as shown. This drum b is adapted to be revolved by a lever Z912, having holding-pawis i912 Z314, as shown, whereby the chain may be wound upon the drum or unwound therefrom, as required. The frame A A2 A3 A4 and all of its attachments are thus suspended upon the studs F5 F6 by the chains Z915 1914 and adapted to be elevated and depressed and held at any required point of elevation by revolving the drum Z911 forward or backward. The pulley h13 and chain b1@ serve as an equalizer to enable both ends of the frame A A2 to be actuated together, and also to enable both chains 1915 1716 to be actuated by one chain only from the drum Z911. Another chain, i317, passes from the drum 511 to and over a pulley Z918 on .the frame A', and thence downward and around a pulley 1919 on the lower part of the frame Al .in a position below the line of the lowest point to which the axle D2 of the wheel Dl will -be moved, and thence to and around a drum on the axle to which its other end is secured. By this means the wheel D' is suspended wholly by the bight of the chain 61T, and .when `the drum Z911 is revolved the axle D2 will likewise be revolved and cause the pinion D2 to revolve in the rack D4, and thus elevate or depress the side of the frame next 'to` the driving-wheel atvthe same time and to the sameextent as the side next'to the casterwheels. Thus the whole frame is uniformly elevated and depressed by revolving the one drum 1h11 and byone lever Z912.

B2 is a spider secured to theshaft B and having 'a series of guides B4 radiating therefrom and at equal distances apart, the guides being attached at their'outer ends to a ring B5, as shownin Fig. l. The guides are formed Withrfparallel sides, and any'required number may be employed. Forthe purpose of illustrating I'have shown live of these guides, but in practice a larger number, usually thirteen, will be employed. Within each of these guides B4 a frame B6 is arranged to be moved inward and outward, its edges fitting into suitable grooves in the inner edges of the guides. Near their outer ends each of these frames Bi is provided with a curved slot d, in which aroller d2 on an arm d2 fits, the outer end ofthe arm being pivoted at d4 to the side of guide B4. Each of the arms d3 is formed with shorter arms d5 d and each of the shorter arms provided with an antifrictionroller @Z7 d8. By this arrangement any force brought to bear upon the rollers Z7 d3 will oscillate the lever d3 upon its pivot and move the sliding frame B6 inward or outward between the sides of the guides B4, as will be more readily understood by reference to the large detail Fig. 5. Journaled by studs e e2 upon the outer ends of each of the frames B6 aresmall gear-segments c2 e4, adapted to engage with each other, and the segment e4, adapted to be likewise engaged by another segment e5, 'the latter journaled by a stud e4 on the frame B4 and having an arm e7 pivoted at e8 to one end of a spring-rod e, as shown. The other end of this spring-rod is pivoted to the outer end of an arm @10, journaled by a stud e-11 on the frame B, as shown. Attached centrally to the lower end of this stud 611, beneath the frame B6 and guides B4, is an arm @12, having antifriction-rollers @12' @14 upon its ends, as shown more clearly in Fig. G. Proj ecting from the segments e2 e4 are arms @15 e115, curved in opposite directions and forming the gripping-jaws, as hereinafter shown. By this arrangement if the arm 612 be turned in one direction the arms e141 through the springrod ef will likewise oscillate the segments e2 e4 e5 and cause the jaws @15 @16 to assume the position shown at the left in Figs. l and 3, or assume the position shown at the right in Fig. l, when the arm @12 is turned in the opposite direction, as hereinafter more fully explained. Connected by small rods @17 @18, between each pair of the jaws @15 e1, is a reversely-curved bar c1, the outer ends of the rods @17 61S being pivoted to the arms @15 e1 outside of thesegments e201, as shown, so that when the segments are turned toward each other, as at the right in Fig. 1, the curved bar will be projected outward to reduce the area of the space inclosed by the converging jaws @15 @16 and assist in the compression of the material inclosed by them, and also to prevent the material coming in contact with the segments or other mechanism.

H is a horizontal shaft journaled to the frame A and at an angle to the line of travel of the machine, and adapted to be driven by a shaft H2 and gears H3 H4 H5 H6 from the main driving-shaft E, as shown in Fig. l. Upon this shaft H are mounted a series of chain-sheaves H7, from which endless chains HS lead to and around other chain-sheaves H9, the shafts of these chain-sheaves H9 being journaled as -near the ring B5 as possible, the chains being therefore of unequal lengths, as shown. At suitable intervals spurs g are attached to the chains to form carriers to conduct the gavels of pulled flax into the receiver H10, as hereinafter described. The spaces between the chains will be filled with strips of sheet metal to support the gavel; but these are not shown, as they would obstruct the view of the machinery.

K is a lever pivoted at h to the frame A and provided with fingers h2 on one end and connected by a red h3 from its other end to a crank 71.4, the latter adapted to be revolved rapidly by gears h5 h6 from the shaft H. By this means the iin gers 7t2are rapidly agitated to strike the roots of the gavels of pulled flax as they are carried past them to remove the earth adhering thereto.

L is a guard-arm supported by arms L2 L3 (shown only by dotted lines in Fig. l) from the frame Al in position parallel to the line of travel of the machine and with the rear end L4 carried upward and backward and united to the extension A3 at a point near the bearing F7, as shown. Pivoted at i to the for- IOO- IOS

ITO

ward end of the arm L' is a dividing-finger L5, curving outward and adapted to divide the flax and divert the proper quantity into the space between the bar Ll and frame A'.

m is a short shaft journaled upon the bar L4 and having an arm m2 connected by a rod m5 to the guard-finger L5 in advance of its pivot c'.

m5 is a rod extending from the shaft m' backward and upward and through an eye m0 on the collar b5 on the stud F5, as shown. By this arrangement when the frame A' A2 is lowered down, as it will be when short flax is to be pulled, the shaft m' will be lowered with it, while the eye m0, remaining always at the same height, will hold the upper end of the rod m5 upward, and thus turn the shaft m' in its bearing and cause the arm m2 to move the outer point of the jointed finger L5 outward, and thus increase the area of the flax which it will inclose and compress, or, in other words, increase the width of the swath harvested. If, however, the frame A' A2 be elevated, as it will be when long or tall fiax is to be harvested, the outer point of the divider-arm L5 will be drawn inward to decrease the width of the swath harvested by the inachine. Thus the machine automatically adapts itself to the work required and the condition of the crop being harvested..

Pivoted at n to the frame A' is a lever M', connected by a rod M2 to a trip-lever M5, pivoted at Wto the frame A', the inner curved end of the lever l' adapted to be acted upon by each of the rollers d1, as the spider B5and its attachments are revolved, to throw the inner end of the arm M' forward behind the advancin g gavel to gather the loose stalks which the jaws`e15 @15 may have missed, and holding them back so that the next set of jaws may inclose them.

Pivoted at n2 upon the bar L', opposite the pivot n', is another arm, M4, similar to the arm M3 and connectedby rod M5 to another arm, M0, the latter pivoted at n2 and curving inward, as shown, toward the frame A' and ring B5 and adapted to be acted upon by the second advancing gavel to cause the inner end of the arm M'1 to be moved forward behind the first gavel and coact with the arm M3 to gather the loose stalks, which the jaws @15 610 may fail to inclose, and hold them back, so that the next set of jaws may inclose them, as hereinafter described. Secured to the frame A' beneath the spider B3 and its attached guides B1 are-a series of cam-ribs, formed as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The ribs may be connected to or formed upon a plate and the plate attached to the frame A', or each separate rib attached to the frame, as preferred. rlfhe cam-rib consists principally of three main ribs N' N2 N5, concentrically curved with relation to the central shaft B', that is to say, the rib N' from t to 152 is concentric to the shaft B', the rib N2 from"155 to i1 is concentric to the same shaft, but of a less radius thanthe rib N', while the rib NB from rib N5 runs in an inwardly-curved line from 152 to 158, while another extension, N5, runs inward from 15S to t0. From the point 154 an extension Nl'runs outward to apoint 10, and thence in an outwardly and then in an inwardly curving line to a point 11 nearly opposite the point 152, the central point 1512 being the farthest from the central shaft. Within the space inclosed between the portion N5 and N7 a smaller rib N8 is formed, as shown. Outside of the rib-section N7 is ashort rib N0, concentric to the shaft B' and rib-section N' and having outwardly-curving ends f15 1514.

Attached to the frame A', at a point a little behind the point t', is a trip mechanism, consisting of a short rib N10, concentric to the shaft B' and in the path of the roller d0, this cam-rib being adapted to actuate the arm d5 and move the sliding frames B0 outward, one after the other, as they are revolved against it. Upon one end of the rib N10 another rib N11 is hinged and supported by a spring N12 to receive the first impact of the `roller d7, the spring permitting the rib to yield, so as to lessen the force of the blow. A short guard-rib N13 is also arranged in front of `the ribl N11 to assist in guiding theroller into its proper place. Pivoted at 1515 in front of the curved portion 157 (the pivot 1515 being thecenter from which the curve 157 is struck) is a short rib N14, made yielding by a` spring N15 and resting in a slotin the end of the rib N5. From the point i3 the rib N2 projects outward for a short distance to a point 1510, as shown.

These different forms and configurations of` the cam-ribs and trips serve to act upon the rollers (Z7 d5 e1? 611 to cause the jaws @15 610 to be'projected outward against the mass of fiax inclosed by the finger L5 and bar L', as shown at the left inFig. l, and then be compressed around the gavel thus inclosed, as at the right in Fig. 1, and be moved around as the machine advances to pull the iiax-roots out of the ground and carry the roots over the rapidly-vibrating fingers h2, where the earth is removed, and thence laying the gavel upon the chains H2, where it is caughtby the spurs g and carried thence into the receiver H10, the jaws @15 @10 being distended and withdrawn at the point when the gavel is laid over the endless chains. These different motions are produced as follows: When the revolving frame B3 is carrying the guides B1 from the point i4 t5 to 155 155, the rollers B15 @14 will be on opposite sides of the rib-'section N5, as shown in Fig. 3, and the pulling mechanism held in its inward position and the jaws @15 e111 open, as shown. Then when the roller d? strikes the spring-section N10 the latter yields somewhat ,and receives the first impact of the blow to preventbreakage, and then the roller ICO IIO

C17 is moved inward by the fixed rib-section N10, this motion moving the arm cl3 outward and carrying the frame B6 outward by the action of the roller d2 in the slot d', thus also carrying the distended jaws @15 e111 outward into the mass of flax gathered between the finger L5 and bar L and the frame A', but without closing the jaws, as the rollers @13 @14 have not as yet been affected, but have simply run outward, one on each side of the rib N14, the latter serving to prevent the arm 612 from being turned prematurely. Vhen the roller @13 first comes against the rib-section N14, the impact is considerable, and to prevent damage the rib-section is provided with the spring N15 to cause the section to yield under this pressure.

During the outward movement of the frame B6 the roller @14 runs in close proximity or in direct contact with the section N4, and when it reaches the curved portion t7 the roller is retarded thereby and held back to a sufficient extent to turn the arm @.12 on its pivot 611, and thus throw the arm @wand rod e9 outward and revolve the segments c5 e163, and thus converge the jaws @15 @16 and compress the flax between them, the curved arm @19 being at the same time forced outward, as before described, to increase the pressure.

As the spider-frame and its attachments continue to revolve, the roller @11 runs around the end t of the cam-rib N and is carried around in this position until the point t2 is reached. The cam-rib N being concentric to the shaft B from t to t2, the jaws @15 c1, while passing that portion, will be held uniformly in their closed relation, and will thus retain the gavel firmly in their grip. Vhile thus firmly held, the roots of the gavel are drawn over the rapidly-vibrating fingers 71,2,

'and the loose earth thereby shaken loose, as

before described. As the gavel is carried over the chains H8 it is laid over them into a horizontal position, the rollers G13 @14 passing on opposite sides of the cam-section N3, which is formed to turn the arm @12 upon its pivot @11 into its reverse position to reverse the position of the segments e3 e4 e5 and open the jaws @15 e1 and release the gavel. At the same time that the rollers c13 e11 are acted upon by the cam-section Ns the roller d8 comes in contact withl the outer end 11 of the camsection N7 and follows it around to the point t4, and is thereby moved inward, turning the arm d3 inward and moving the frame BG to its inward position, as before, and thus withdrawing the open jaws and placing them into the position shown in Fig. 3, the rollers @13 @11 in the meantime havin g moved inward between the sections NG N7 and assumed the position shown in Fig. 3, with one roller on each side of the section N3. As before stated, the cam-sections N2 N3 from the points 153 to t1 and from t5 to t6 are concentric to the shaft B. Hence while the rollers @13 614 are travcling over these sections the jaws @15 e111 will be held uniformly in their inward position and open. The guides B4 will be' placed in sufficiently close proximity and the speed of the spider-frame and its attachments will be sufficiently rapid to cause the jaws 615 e1, when projected, to grasp all the iiax gathered in by the gathering-arm L5. Under the same conditions, however, some of the loose stalks may escape the jaws 615 e111, and to insure the gathering of these is the function of the arms M3 M4, the arms M3 being` moved backward by each of the advancing rollers 6X7 in turn, while the arm M4 is similarly moved backward by the pressure of the next forward-advancing gavel upon the arm M1", and then when the gavels pass the ends of the arms the springs n a6 cause the free inner ends of the arms M3 Mt to close again and run in contact with the rear side of the compressed gavel, and thus gather all the loose ungathered stalks and hold them back until the next pair of arms @15 c1 inclose them.

By this simple device every stalk of the flax will be gathered.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new isl. In a flax-pulling machine, the combination of a wheel-frame, a revolving frame carried thereby, a series of oppositely-curved gripping jaws carried by said revolving frame, means for projecting said jaws outward and closing them to receive a gavel of flax, means for openin g said jaws to discharge said gavel therefrom, and drawing the jaws inward again, means for raising and lowering said machine to adapt it to the length of the flax, and a movable divider-arm adapted to be adjusted laterally by the raising and low ering of said machine, whereby the width of the swath to be harvested may be increased or diminished according to the height of the grain, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a iiax-pulling machine, the combination with a wheel-frame, of a stationary camframe arranged upon said wheeled frame, a revolving frame arranged above said camframe and carrying a series of oppositelycurved gripping-jaws, means for projecting said jaws outward and closing them at one point in the movement of said revolving frame, means for opening said gripping-jaws and withdrawing them at another point in the revolution of said frame, means for raising and lowering said wheeled frame and the mechanism supported thereby to adapt the machine to the length of the flax, and a 1novable divider-arm arranged to be adjusted laterally by the raising and lowering` of said frame, whereby the width of the swath is va ried in proportion to the height of the grain to be harvested, substantially as described.

3. In a flax-pulling machine, a base-frame adapted to be moved forward, a revolving frame carrying a series of oppositely-curved gripping-jaws, means for projecting said jaws outwardly and closing them to seize a gavel of flax, and means for opening said jaws to dis- IOO IIO

charge said gavel therefrom and drawingthe jaws inward again, an arm projecting into the path of the revolving frame whereby the ungathered stalks are retarded and held into the path of the next set of gripping-jaws, substantially as and for the purpose'set forth! 4. In a iiax-pulling machine, a base-frame adapted to be moved forward, a revolving frame carrying a series of oppositely-curved gripping-jaws, means for projecting said jaws outwardly and closing them to seize a gavel of flax, and means for opening said jaws to discharge said gavel therefrom and drawing the jaws inward again, an arm projecting into the path of the gavel, a trip-lever connected :to said arm projecting into the path of the revolving frame, a secondary reversely-pivoted arm projecting into the path of the gavel from theopposite side, and a curved compressorlever connected to said secondary arm and adapted to be actuated whereby the ungathered stalks are held into the path of the next set of gripping-jaws, substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of the wheeled frame, a second frame carried by said wheeled frame, and provided with a series of curved grippingjaws arranged in position to engage the flax as the machine is drawn forward, means for closing said jaws, means for drawing said jaws inward and opening them to discharge the flax therefrom, a suitable mechanism for raising and lowering said frame together with said grippingjaws, and a divider-arm for regulating the width of the swath and arranged to be raised or lowered simultaneously with said frame, substantially as described.

6. In a flax-pulling machine, the combination with the wheeled frame, of a secondary frame provided thereon and vertically movable, flax-gathering devices provided upon' said secondary frame, a dividing-arm to direct the flax toward said gathering devices, and means for adjusting said dividing-arm with respect to said secondary frame, substantially as described.

7. In a flax-pulling machine, a fixed camframe, a frame revolving above said camframe and having radiating guides, slidable frames between said guides, oppositelycurved gripping-jaws pivoted to said slidable frames, levers having antifriction-rollers and pivoted to said revolving frame and adapted to project and withdraw said slidable frames, a yielding cam-rib in the path of the rollers upon said levers and adapted to actuate them to project said slidable frames and grippingjaws, and a cam-section in the path of said rollers upon said lever adapted to actuate them, and withdraw said slidable frames and gripping-jaws, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a flax-pulling machine, a xed camframe, a revolving frame above said camframe and having radiating guides, a slidable frame between said guides, oppositely-curved gripping-jaws pivoted to said'slidable frame and provided' upon their pivoted ends with gear-segments in engagement with each other, a pivoted arm or lever having antifrictionrollers and arranged to project and withdraw said slidable frame, a lever or arm having a gear-segment in engagement with one of said gripping-jaw segments, an arm pivoted to said slidable frame and connected by said spring-rod to said lever or arm, an arm or lever pivoted centrally upon said pivoted arm and provided with antifriction-rollers upon 4its ends and adapted to be actuated` by said cam-frame to open and close said grippingjaws, and a yielding cam-section at the point where said slidable frames are projected, to receive the impact of said antifriction-rollers and thereby prevent breakage, substantially as described.

9. In a flax-pulling machine, a frame adapted to be moved forward, a revolving frame carrying a series of oppositely-curved gripping-jaws, means for projecting said jaws outward, and closing them to seize a gavel of flax, and means for opening said jaws outiward todischarge said gavel therefrom, and drawing the jaws inward again, and a series of endless chains having projected studs, and over which the gavels are laid when the grippingjaws are withdrawn, and discharged thereby into a receptacle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. .The combination in a liax-pulling machine, of a wheeled frame with a secondary frame provided thereon and vertically movable, flax-gathering devices operative upon said secondary frame,a dividing-arm laterally adjustable with respect to said gathering devices, and means whereby said gathering-arm is automatically and proportionally adj usted when said secondary frame is raised or lowered and with respect to the position of said secondary frame, substantially as described.

1l. The combination in a flax-pulling machine, of a suitable carrying-frame with a secondary frame provided thereon, iiax-gathering devices provided upon said secondary frame and horizontally movable, means for causing said gathering devices to grasp and then discharge a gavel of flax, means for receiving llax from said pulling devices and ejecting the same from the machine, and a dividing or directing arm or device, said secondary frame and the dividing-arm being proportionally adjustable, as and for the purpose specified.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the wheeled frame having a substantially vertical axis, a revolving frame carried by said wheeled frame, said revolving frame being provided with a series of gripping-jaws, means for closing said jaws to receive a gavel of flax, means for opening said IIO gage the i'lax as the-,machine is drawn along,

means for closing said jaws, and means for drawing them inward and opening them to discharge the flax therefrom, and a suitable mechanism for raising orlowering said second frame together with` said gripping-jaws, for' theA purpose set forth.

14. In a machine of the class described, the

- combination with a suitable wheeled frame,

I from, a suitable dividing-arm for regulatingy a revolving frame carriedthereby, said re- .volvingframe being provided with a series of opposite gripping jaws or parts, said .jaws

`beingin position toA engage the flax as said machine is moved along, means for closing said jaws to seize a gavel of flax, means for opening the same to discharge the flax there- .i the width of the swath to be gathered by-said Amachine, and a suitable-mechanism for raisingorloweringsaid revolving frame together. #with said dividing-arm, substantially as described.

l5.- Iny a'machi-n'e of the class described, the

combination with a frame suitably mounted upon carrying-wheels, a revolving frame carried by said wheeled frame, said revolving frame being provided with a series of opposite gripping jaws or parts, said jaws being in position to engage the flax as said machine is moved along, means for closing said jaws to seize a gavel of flax, means for opening the same to discharge the flax therefrom, a suitable dividing-arm for regulating the width of the swath to be gathered by said machine, said gripping-jaws and dividing-arms being arranged to gather the gavel outside said carrying-wheels, whereby the carrying-wheels do not crush the standing flax, substantially as described.

16. In a iiax-pullingmachine, a base-frame adapted to be moved forward, a revolving frame carrying a series of oppositely-curved gripping-jaws, means for projecting said jaws outwardly and closing them to seize a gavel of flax, and means for opening said jaws to discharge said gavel therefrom and drawing the jaws Vinward again, spring-actuated arms projectinginto the path ofthe gavel and adapted to gather the loose stalks and retard them until inclosed by the next set of grippingjaws, substantially as -and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ALFREDE C. LAMAR. In presence of- C. N. W ooDwARn, WM. A. PETERSON. 

